MANY COUNTRIES across the globe have been seriously affected by wars of all types for centuries.
However, what isn’t readily known is a little organisation in Barbados, World Peace Federation (WPF), which was set up to foster peace at home and across the world. WPF, the brainchild of self-professed peace ambassador, Ricardo Lashley, was established almost two years ago.
Lashley said the federation’s mission centres on living life harmoniously as God intended. And he hopes that by promoting and providing a space for people to live this life, someday everyone will have a life of peace.
Speaking from his current home base in Grazettes, St Michael, Lashley explained how the idea was conceived around 2013.
“Every time I turned on the news, terrorism was in my face and it was spreading. It seemed like the world’s leaders can’t get it under control and I was thinking to myself, how I could wish for a saviour or an organisation to step up and do something. Then I thought this idea was so unique that I should explore it and run with it, and before long I decided I could establish an organisation that could somehow bring about that world peace,” he told the DAILY NATION.
With more than a decade’s experience in the security field, Lashley said he believed he could bring about some change despite many people, including influential world leaders, being unsuccessful in their efforts.
He made it clear though that the work of WPF should not be seen as that of security or a threat to terrorists. Instead, he stressed that peace began in homes and that was where the organisation intended to start through programmes such as social care governance, strengthening of governance and family social care support services.
“We believe if we could start with homes, it can create harmony and peace. We don’t necessarily deal with what the other organisations are doing with the people on the streets; our clients are people who live in homes and have issues in the home.”
For example, WPF intends to assist people who have become unemployed or have broken homes by way of welfare or other grants, and to explore avenues for them to further seek assistance.
Lashley described his non-profit venture as a product initiative of progressive advancement. He added that it was committed to the need for comfort, support, rescuing, food and water security, education, medical treatment and prescribed medication, legal counselling, religious guidance, solutions to domestic violence as well as comprehensive solutions for families.
“The key mission is to create young leaders committed to administer peace initiatives together to create a better world. The World Peace Federation serves the [population] with the greatness of sharing and caring with one another so peace will grow among the world. The World Peace Federation will police legal jurisdiction to groups in need of peace anywhere to help them in aid of peace and placing solutions to barriers that any unjustifiable political regime might control.”
The husband and father of an eight-year-old daughter was adamant that though the objective might sound utopian or near impossible, it was a cause so worthy that it needed to be explored.
He is in search of a more permanent home, adding that though there was heightened interest about the organisation, there was room for new members.
“I speak of passion, because I am passionate about peace. In my hopes and prayers, I hope that endless wars cease to continue. I hope to share my dream that suffering, pain, cruelty, terror and confusion be no more and I would rather welcome love, peace, harmony, togetherness, happiness, friendship and trust for everyone to have unconditionally.
“This is my affection I share with all humanity and trust that tender Mother Nature will continue to protect us through the not welcomed natural disasters, but bless us with love that was meant for mankind to live in peace as it was meant in the beginning of time,” the 43-year-old Christian said.
“With great expertise of security and semi-military defence, we are committed to peace defensively and the active call to prevent wars of terror, natural disasters and social instability that plague humanity.
“The expertise of skilful electrical and technological network personnel is firmly ready to utilise our skills to serve the world 24/7 with the assistance of reliable data systems programmes to be managed in our organisation.
“With over 12 years’ experience and training in security and defence, we are well qualified and experienced to organise and operate the World Peace Federation,” he added. (SDB Media)